The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) are proud to reveal the sculpture designs chosen by jury for permanent exhibition in the sixth installation of the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA). The 2024 installation will include the following pieces of sculpture: Reef Goddess By Raine Bedsole (Santa Rosa Beach, FL), Deep Sea Three by Matthew Gemmell and David Showalter (Baltimore, MD), Sea How We Flow by Elise Gilbert (Santa Rosa Beach, FL), Poseidon’s Throne by Nathan Hoffman (Highlandville, MO), Bubby Barnacles by Donna Conklin King (East Orange, NJ), Sunken Spores by Ashley Rivers (Gulfport, FL), and Ring My Bell by Bradley Touchstone (Santa Rosa Beach, FL). Named in 2018 by TIME Magazine as one of 100 “World’s Greatest Places,” the UMA is presented as part of CAA’s Art In Public Spaces Program and augments SWARA’s mission of creating marine habitat and expanding fishery populations while providing enhanced creative, cultural, economic and educational opportunities for the benefit, education and enjoyment of residents, students and visitors in South Walton. The UMA recently received the 2023 CODAAward for Collaboration of the Year. UMA sculptures are deployed with SWARA’s existing USACOA and FDEP permitted artificial reef projects that includes nine nearshore reefs located within one nautical mile of the shore in approximately 58 feet of water. The 2024 installation will join the 40 sculptures previously deployed on a one-acre permit patch of seabed off Grayton Beach State Park, further expanding the nation’s first permanent underwater museum. Deployment of the 2024 UMA installation is slated for Summer with support from Visit South Walton. Visit UMAFL.org for more information on timeline and events surrounding UMA’s launch. Project and sculpture sponsorships are available. Please contact Gabby Callaway at gabby@culturalartsalliance.com for sponsorship details. 2024 UMA SCULPTURE AND ARTIST DETAILS REEF GODDESS artist Raine Bedsole is based in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Her work has dealt with the idea of 'vessel' for a long time. The boat sculpture and the figurative sculpture are both vessels of the psyche. Currently, she is working on a series of sculptures based on the female figure. Although they began as a 'universal' self portrait, these figures are somewhat androgynous. There is a feminine force that is present in both men and women referred to as the Anima. They are nature goddesses leading us back to a time when we were one with nature. Bedsole’s vision for the underwater museum is of a water goddess or nymph. She lives in the reef and her skin is made of water drops, open for sea creatures to swim and play in. She is born of the reef and nurturer of all the teeming sea life there. DEEP SEA THREE Matthew Gemmell and David Showalter are Baltimore-based artists who have worked together on various sculpture projects over the last 20 years. Their approach to this project was to consider diatoms as inspiration for creating an engaging underwater sculpture. These single celled organisms that inhabit our oceans are invisible to the naked eye, but a closer look at these foundational creatures in our marine ecosystem reveals a vast variety of geometric beauty. The shapes formed by the diatom’s silica walls have intricate patterns resembling those found in classic Platonic solids. It is the artist’s aim to represent an echo of these geometric patterns that occur in different variations on mathematical themes. They chose to do this by using repeating Platonic solids. These forms naturally lend themselves to sculpture in addition to providing various surfaces for marine life to take hold. Over time the Platonic solid sculpture will take on a life of its own creating a habitat for many of the marine creatures it represents while also providing shelter for larger creatures that depend on these quintessential microscopic organisms. By combining biology, mathematics, art, ocean conservation, and inspiration from the tiny diatom they aim to create a unique engaging addition to the Underwater Museum of Art collection for divers and marine life to enjoy. SEA HOW WE FLOW artist Elise Gilbert is interested in posing a question within the viewer's understanding that draws on the philosophical proposition of naturalism. One of the key questions this concept evokes is whether nature possesses inherent perfection. Some may find perfection in nature's complexity and balance, while others may argue that nature is chaotic, imperfect, or harsh in its manifestations. When the viewer experiences this piece, they are confronted with an image of two hands in reflection—the yogic hand symbol for the flow of wisdom during self-reflection. It is a gesture that encourages the practitioner to turn their attention inward, seeking self-realization and deeper understanding. The perceiver may experience the image of the hands with a sense of harmony and peace. As time progresses, the underwater piece will slowly undergo changes in its appearance, gradually becoming more asymmetrical as it is overtaken by sea-life. The question then arises: as the form changes, does its perfection also change? Or does it become more harmonious and perfect in the realm of nature? Missouri-based artist Nathan Hoffman is creating POSEIDON'S THRONE. Poseidon’s Throne sits empty. The ruler and representative of the rawness and power of the ocean, is gone. Where to? That we do not know, but who will take his place? Hoffman wants the viewer of this sizable throne to imagine themselves taking the seat. It is a huge burden, but one that we all must take up if we are to save the ocean from ourselves. We have the power to do it, just as we had the power to destroy it. The throne will act as a symbol of the power we all yield, if we so choose to take it. The throne will also have many areas for fish and ocean life to inhabit and move throughout it, symbolizing that we must work together in order for our worlds to coexist. Ocean life inhabiting the piece also symbolizes that when given the right opportunities there is hope for renewal and the ocean can flourish once again. When building the concept for her piece BUBBLY BARNACLES, artist Donna Conklin King thought about the duality of decay and resiliency and found inspiration in barnacles. Barnacles stick to the undersides of vessels, to other sea life, to each other, and to pretty much anything they come in contact with. While they are an annoyance, the beauty in their destruction is also their strength - the glue! They secrete a fast-curing cement that is among the most powerful natural glue known. The glue is so strong that researchers are trying to determine how it can be used commercially. The piece is titled Bubbly Barnacles because these barnacles are round like a bubble and hollow to allow space for sea creatures to make a living reef. Rather than being destructive or unwanted, these barnacles are welcome and inviting. The tallest central component consists of three large oblong asymmetrical forms that have openings you can see through. Fish can swim through them, and Divers can look through them. Divers can also shine a light into any of the 6+ barnacles at the base of the sculpture, and hopefully find some delightful surprises living or hiding inside. SUNKEN SPORES by artist Ashley Rivers is a piece based off a few ceramic mushrooms she created in the past. Mushrooms are vital to ecosystems around the world. Through mycelium, mushrooms help other plants share nutrients and communicate through chemical signals. Created mostly of concrete, with metal mesh stabilizers, the piece will stand roughly 6' 2" tall. The shapes within the piece will allow the perfect surfaces for future corals and anemones to grow, offering new habitats, feeding, spawning, and nursery grounds for over 1 million aquatic species- a perfect analogy to how real mushrooms help other plants share nutrients above ground. RING MY BELL is an interactive sculpture based on the historical form of an offshore bell buoy from artist Bradley Touchstone. Visitors will be able to ring the bell inside the tower using a striker that is permanently attached to the structure. The primary material for the piece is solid steel bar stock and 1/4" plate. The four sides of the tower include cutout illustrations of sea life. To learn more and view all UMA sculptures, visit umafl.org.

CALL TO ARTISTS The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County is calling artists who are current members of the CAA to submit up to five pieces of art for an upcoming Special Exhibition at Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC), themed around their production of "Mary Poppins". The theme should showcase what you feel represents the essence of the subject, the call is open to all subjects. The exhibit is scheduled to run April 12 - June 29, 2024. Please study the criteria and submit an application ONLINE prior to 11 pm on April 3, 2024. If you are not yet a CAA member, click to join today! HOW TO APPLY You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is proud to announce the regional artists recently chosen to exhibit their original work in The Foster Gallery’s Spring Rotation, which runs February 21st, through June 22nd, 2024 in its Miramar Beach Creative Campus location at 13370 Emerald Coast Parkway (US Highway 98). The public is invited to attend a special evening celebrating art and creativity on Thursday, March 7th from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. where they can enjoy a live demonstration with Spring Rotation Artist Nicole Hemmerly of MossHound Designs as well as tasty sips and snacks all while connecting with fellow art enthusiasts in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The selected featured artists are Wanda Azzario-Goldberg, Carol Babington, Pam Barnard, Dorothea Berkhout, Stephanie Bloyd, Melody Bogle, Kathleen Broderick, Gayle Campbell, Bill Chambers, Kim Cleveland, Renee Cohn, Marlene East, Kim Eifrid, Elena Filshtinska, Capri Jones, Nicole Hemmerly, Brett Hewitt, Linda Kernick, Sue Carol Knight, Bonita Loman, Susan Lucas, Janis Mars Wunderlich, Robyn Martins, Natalie Maxted, Mindy McClendon, Sherri McKendree, Theresia McInnis, Lennon Michalski, Lynnette Moody, Jenny Nix, Patti Overholt, Michelle Puckett, Mary Redmann, Kaitlyn Roig, Andi Scruto, Nicolaus Seegel, Kristine Senft, Blair Supplee, Laura Tuvyana, and Karen Williams. All rotation artists are members of the Cultural Arts Alliance. All works exhibited in the gallery are for sale, many works will also be online soon for viewing and purchase on the CAA website at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/foster-gallery. Nicole Hemmerly is a contemporary fiber artisan based in Niceville, Florida. Rooted in Nicole's love of nature, MossHouse Designs is driven by a commitment to sustainable practices. They source the highest quality organic materials from familial and local small-batch suppliers to produce one-of-a-kind handmade wall hangings and installation art. In every work, they seek to evoke the identity of you, the rightful owner, and a sense of connection for all those that enjoy the spaces in which our art finds its rightful home. The Foster Gallery is located at 13370 Emerald Coast Parkway (US Hwy 98) and is part of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus featuring regional artist rotations on a quarterly basis as well as special exhibitions. The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus will also host artist receptions and openings, workshops in J. Leon Studio, events, and serve as a community gathering point symbolizing the support the CAA strives to give artists in our community, including those who are members of the CAA. The gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, including class schedule, ceramics services and space rental of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus for private events, call 850.842.3051 or visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is excited to announce tickets are now on sale for the highly anticipated annual Tour of Homes scheduled for Saturday, February 10 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, February 11 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. The tour is known for providing a rare opportunity to enter some of Walton County’s most interesting spaces, showcasing stunning interiors, acclaimed architectural design and picturesque settings, which are sure to bring inspiration to tour goers’ winter beach weekend. This year’s tour features private homes located on Eastern Lake in Seagrove Beach and in historic Point Washington, along with three residences in the New Urbanist town of SEASIDE®. The Tour will also include new features this year, including The Court, Seaside’s luxury, boutique hotel and the newly opened Point Washington Medical Clinic (PWMC). Through its Art in Public Spaces program, the CAA has proudly partnered with PWMC to enhance the interior beauty of the 4,700 sq. ft. building with hand-painted murals, a collection of works from local artists as well as a sculpture in the meditation garden. Tour tickets are $40 in advance through Sunday, February 4 and $50 beginning Monday, February 5 through the event weekend. Each ticket is valid for the entire weekend with one entry per house. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the CAA’s website, CulturalArtsAlliance.com/upcoming-events, and will also be available for purchase at all of the locations throughout the weekend. A digital program that includes home addresses, directions and design details will be available on the CAA’s website prior to the Tour. The 2024 Valentine Tour of Homes weekend is presented by Visit South Walton with additional support from the Florida Arts and Culture, SEASIDE®, Homeowner’s Collection, the Seaside Institute™ and Emerald Coast Magazine. All net proceeds benefit the CAA's ‘Art For All’ Program, which provides support to Walton County schools, teachers, students, artists and arts organizations to further arts education in the community. Please note that all homes on the Tour are private residences. Please notify the CAA office in advance for questions regarding accessibility, and best efforts will be made for accommodations. To volunteer, visit culturalartsalliance.com/volunteer. Volunteers receive a complimentary event ticket. For more information about the Valentine Tour of Homes and the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, call 850-622-5970 or visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com.

CALL TO ARTISTS The CAA is calling all artists who are current members of the Cultural Arts Alliance to submit an application to be considered for the 2024 Spring Rotation of The Foster Gallery located in the CAA's Miramar Beach Creative Campus scheduled to run February 21 - June 22, 2024. Please study the criteria and submit application ONLINE prior to 11 pm on Monday, February 5, 2024. ABOUT THE FOSTER GALLERY The Foster Gallery is named for the late Susan Foster, a founder of the Cultural Arts Alliance.  The gallery is part of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus featuring regional artist rotations on a quarterly basis as well as special exhibitions. The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus will also host artist receptions and openings, workshops in J. Leon Studio, events, and serve as a community gathering point symbolizing the support the CAA strives to give artists in our community, including those who are members of the CAA. GALLERY LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION The gallery is located at 11370 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach, FL  32550. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM. HOW IT WORKS Twenty (30) to thirty-five (35) artists will be selected for each rotation. Artists are not required to work at the gallery, however, they must be a current member of the CAA (members do not have to be local). Exhibiting artists will be asked to participate in additional paid and volunteer opportunities, including teaching a workshop, live demonstrations at events, participating in artist talks, and other opportunities at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus. Artists are encouraged to attend their rotation opening reception and the Foster Gallery Fêtes. The sales split is 60% artist and 40% CAA. The CAA is responsible for all overhead, including rent, utilities, commissions, marketing, event costs, and insurance of the gallery and its contents. All sales will be processed through the CAA, and artists will receive bi-weekly settlements. The gallery features ongoing special exhibitions throughout the year and may also host invitationals at the CAA’s discretion. TIMELINE Call to Artists:  Jan. 6, 2024 – Feb. 5, 2024 Artist notification:  Fed. 9, 2024 Art drop off:  Feb. 20, 2024 Rotation begins: Feb. 21, 2024 Rotation Ends June 22, 2024 at 5 PM ARTIST CRITERIA Accepted artists MUST meet the following criteria: Artist must be a current member of the CAA. Membership is open to all artists, regardless of location. Not a member yet? Join today! Artists are required to submit work(s) they will be bringing in to the Gallery for that rotation. Artist must drop off artwork on specified date. Artist must pick-up artwork on specified date. Artist must be available to attend gallery events and receptions. All exhibited work must be original work created by the applying artist. All exhibited work must be for sale. Prints and giclees are not allowed on the exhibit walls (except photography). Artist must have a specified number of pieces (to be determined prior to the rotation start date) on exhibit at any given time throughout rotation. Artist must agree to a 60% artist, 40% CAA split of each sale. Artist must be able to provide a replacement piece within 48 hours after the sale of an exhibited piece. Artist must provide an inventory of art pieces in a digital file that lists Price, Title, Medium, Dimensions and Weight, and whether the piece is framed upon installation. Artist must pay a 10% referral fee to the CAA for any commissions that are generated because of the artist’s participation in the gallery. HOW TO APPLY Submit your application ONLINE before 11 PM Monday, Feb. 5,  2024. You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) invites visual artists of all disciplines to apply to participate in the juried 36th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival planned for May 4 & 5, 2024 in Walton County, along Northwest Florida’s beaches. ArtsQuest will take place in the Town Center of Grand Boulevard, which is also home to other large-scale events including the 30A Songwriters Festival and the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. Located along the Scenic Highway 98 corridor, Grand Boulevard is easily accessible from regional drive and fly markets, including Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, Mobile, Pensacola and Tallahassee. The Town Center also offers upscale shopping, restaurants and three on-site hotels. “We are excited to embrace our 36th year of creativity in the community, a passion for art and an event that brings extraordinary artists and art collectors together," said CAA Events Director Allie Anderson. "We look forward to celebrating and recognizing the craftsmanship and vibrant artistry ArtsQuest brings to Walton County.” Artists may apply in the categories of Mixed Media, Oils, Acrylics, Works on Paper, Photography, Wood, Metal, Fiber, Glass, Ceramics, Sculpture, Jewelry, Pastels, and more and will be juried by art industry professionals. The jury fee is $45 and booth fees start at $350. The final application deadline is February 16, 2024. ARTISTS MAY APPLY TO THE EVENT AT: Zapplication.org ArtsQuest Artist benefits include: Limited to 200 juried artists Attendance of 5,000 quality art buyers $10,000 in cash prizes Program listing Exceptional artist hospitality Easy, convenient Friday load-in Drive to your booth for load in/load out Free artist parking onsite Corner and double booth options Booth sitters Overnight security Indoor restroom facilities Live music and entertainment Food vendors & full cash bar, along with existing restaurants in Grand Boulevard Grand Boulevard and the surrounding area offer affordable accommodations, including hotels, camping and condo and home rentals. Limited discounted hotel accommodations will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival is a featured event for Art Month Walton County with a reputation of artist centered promotion and execution and as such implements an extensive festival media plan directed to drive and fly markets including print, radio, digital and social media advertising, in addition to local signage. These marketing efforts combined with artist benefits, exceptional location and repeat local and visiting educated patrons who are eager to get to know and purchase makers' works make this long running and highly anticipated event a must on the calendar for artists of exceptional quality. Awards are given based on the Judges’ evaluation and scoring of each artist’s body of work as displayed in the booth. ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival is a Cultural Arts Alliance signature event that helps to fulfill our mission to bring high-quality artistic experiences to the community. Call the CAA office at 850-622-5970 for details.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is proud to announce the regional artists recently chosen to exhibit their original work in The Foster Gallery’s Winter Rotation, which runs November 14th, 2023 through February 13th, 2024 in its Miramar Beach Creative Campus location at 13370 Emerald Coast Parkway (US Highway 98). The public is invited to attend a special Holiday Market, "Small Things Considered", on Saturday, December 2nd from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. where they can enjoy tasty sips and snacks while finding creative gifts for the holidays. The selected featured artists are Gisselle Barnhart, Dorothea Berkhout, Stephanie Bloyd, Melody Bogle, Patricia Bufkin, Gayle Campbell, Chris Chubb, Skip Deems, Marlene East, Kim Eifrid, Evelyn Espinoza, Elena Filshtinska, Doug Foltz, Wanda Azzario Goldberg, Brett Hewitt, Wes Hinds, Pamela Hutton, Sue Carol Knight, Laura Jennings, Capri Boyle Jones, Linda Kernick, Susan Lucas, Debra Makar, Robyn Martins, Rosanne Mass, Theresia McInnis, Lynnette Moody, Merry Beth Myrick, Patricia Overholt, Debi Perkins, Mary Redmann, Kathy Schumacher, Nicholaus Seegel, Kristine Senft, Pam Singh, The Salty Sparrow, Laura Tuvyana, Anita Vasquez, and Karen Williams. All rotation artists are members of the Cultural Arts Alliance. All works exhibited in the gallery are for sale, many works will be online soon for viewing and purchase on the CAA website at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/foster-gallery. The Foster Gallery is located at 13370 Emerald Coast Parkway (US Hwy 98) and is part of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus featuring regional artist rotations on a quarterly basis as well as special exhibitions. The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus will also host artist receptions and openings, workshops in J. Leon Studio, events, and serve as a community gathering point symbolizing the support the CAA strives to give artists in our community, including those who are members of the CAA. The gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, including space rental of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus for private events, call 850.842.3051 or visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com.

CALL TO ARTISTS The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) is calling all artists who are current members of the CAA to submit an application to be considered for the 2023 Winter Rotation of The Foster Gallery located in the CAA's Miramar Beach Creative Campus scheduled to run November 14, 2023 - February 13, 2024. Please study the criteria for the Winter Rotation and submit an application ONLINE prior to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The CAA is calling all member creatives interested in applying for the inaugural Miramar Beach Creative Campus Holiday Market, "Small Things Considered", scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus on Emerald Coast Parkway. Submissions will be juried and the market will host 25 artists. Please study the guidelines for the Winter Market and submit an application ONLINE prior to 11 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, 2023. ABOUT THE FOSTER GALLERY The Foster Gallery is named for the late Susan Foster, a founder of the Cultural Arts Alliance.  The gallery is part of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus featuring regional artist rotations on a quarterly basis as well as special exhibitions. The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus will also host artist receptions and openings, workshops in J. Leon Studio, events, and serve as a community gathering point symbolizing the support the CAA strives to give artists in our community, including those who are members of the CAA. GALLERY LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION The gallery is located at 13370 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach, FL  32550. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM. HOW TO APPLY Submit your application ONLINE before the noted deadlines. You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually.

CALL TO ARTISTS The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) is calling all artists who are current members of the CAA to submit an application to be considered for the 2023 Holly Jolly Special Exhibit located at Emerald Coast Theatre Company in Grand Boulevard Town Center scheduled to run December 6, 2023 - January 31, 2024. Please study the criteria for the Holly Jolly Special Exhibit and submit an application ONLINE prior to 11 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2023. The CAA is calling all member creatives interested in applying for the Holiday Show Special Exhibit, scheduled for December 5, 2023 through February 28, 2024 at the Coastal Branch Library. Please study the guidelines for the Holiday Show Special Exhibit and submit an application ONLINE prior to 11 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2023. ABOUT THE FOSTER GALLERY The Foster Gallery is named for the late Susan Foster, a founder of the Cultural Arts Alliance.  The gallery is part of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus featuring regional artist rotations on a quarterly basis as well as special exhibitions. The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus will also host artist receptions and openings, workshops in J. Leon Studio, events, and serve as a community gathering point symbolizing the support the CAA strives to give artists in our community, including those who are members of the CAA. GALLERY LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION The gallery is located at 13370 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach, FL  32550. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM. HOW TO APPLY Submit your application ONLINE before the noted deadlines. You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) announces the return of one of Walton County’s favorite fall events, the Flutterby Arts Festival, which will take place Sunday, November 12th from 10AM - 4PM in Watersound® Town Center. In its 31st year, the Flutterby Festival will feature many returning and new activities for kids of all ages, including arts & crafts projects, live performances, Art-O-Logy instructional classes, a student butterfly art exhibit, a butterfly wing creation station, a Monarch butterfly learning center, face painting, student performances, stilt walkers, balloon artistry, carnival games, an inflatable slide, butterfly parades and an Artist Market of professional artists and crafters exhibiting and selling their work throughout the day. This year’s featured Flutterby artist is Karina Borzac of Emerald Coast Middle School. Her artwork is featured on the official 2023 Flutterby promotional materials. Festival merchandise will be available for sale and food trucks will be on site to sell lunch items, sweet treats, and beverages (for kids and their parents). Attendees can also enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the Watersound® Monarch Art Trail (WMAT) featuring audio from the sculpture artists about their art works as well as information about the surrounding native landscaping. The WMAT is an Art in Public Spaces project that includes eight original sculptures installed along South Watersound Parkway’s existing mile-long walking and bike path. The trail was created in 2021 with support from The St. Joe Community Foundation, and use of the area was made possible by The St. Joe Company. The Flutterby Festival weekend is presented by the Watersound® Origins Community, Watersound® Town Center, and the St. Joe Community Foundation with support from the Florida Department of Arts and Culture, Visit South Walton, Merrill Lynch - Brown, Burns & Associates, Morning Star Foundation, Capital City Bank, Corchis Hospitality Group, F. Reese Harrison, DMD Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, Watersound Fountains, and Odd Pelican Beer Company. Admission to the Flutterby Festival is free and open to the public. Some activities require tickets, which can be purchased at the CAA welcome and information tents within the Festival. Parking, including accessible parking, will be available on-site. Volunteers are needed to help create all the fun! Please visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com/volunteer to sign up. Registration is now open online for the Flutterby Art-O-Logy classes.

FEATURING HEADLINERS JEFF TWEEDY, ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS, ROSANNE CASH, KT TUNSTALL, and NEWLY CONFIRMED GRACE POTTER and RODNEY CROWELL, plus 170 additional artists to perform January 12 – 15, 2024 along Highway 30A in South Walton, Florida at the 15th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival “30A made its debut in 2010 and has become the biggest, most prestigious songwriters’ festival in the southeast. In previous years, it has hosted such greats as Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Indigo Girls, Graham Nash, Jason Isbell, and Lucinda Williams.” — Yahoo.com For the past 15 years, the 30A Songwriters Festival has attracted thousands of dedicated live music fans from around the world to hear original songwriters spanning multiple genres perform their songs. As No Depression wrote, “perhaps the best thing about the 30A Songwriters Festival (called simply ‘Songwriters’ by locals) is that it seems to recognize that some people who write great songs are quite famous, but not every great songwriter is a household name.” Dedicated to celebrating the iconic voices of our time, as well as the best in up and coming and career artists, 30A Songwriters Festival has hosted John Prine, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Indigo Girls, Leon Russell, Emmylou Harris and many more since its inception. One of the festival’s main attractions is the intimacy of the venues and the camaraderie among concertgoers and musicians, many who kick off their year with a performance at the fest. The festival is also a fundraiser for the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. As the creative core of the community for over 30 years, the Cultural Arts Alliance fosters creativity through the inclusive and collaborative advancement of the Arts, providing opportunities for residents and visitors to experience diverse forms of art and learning, connecting them to a broader view, critical exploration and answers only the Arts have the power to provide. The beach resort towns along Scenic Highway 30A on the Gulf of Mexico feature 30 venues presenting over 180 songwriters and 280+ solo, band, and in-the-round performances throughout the weekend of January 12 – 15, 2024. GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) join two of Walton County’s most cherished resources, the arts and the Gulf of Mexico, with the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA). Named by TIME Magazine as one of 100 of the “World’s Greatest Places,” the UMA is the first and only permanent underwater sculpture museum in the United States. Artists are invited to submit proposals for the sixth art installation to be deployed Summer 2024. The UMA is located in Northwest Florida, less than one mile off the coast of Grayton Beach State Park in South Walton, Florida. A 2023 CODAaward winner in the inaugural Collaboration of the Year category, the UMA has been featured in online and print publications including National Geographic, Lonely Planet, Travel & Leisure, Newsweek, The New York Times, and more. Part of the CAA’s Art In Public Spaces program, the UMA also augments SWARA's mission of creating marine habitat and expanding fishery populations while providing enhanced cultural, economic and educational opportunities for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of Walton County residents, including students and visitors. The project is supported by Visit South Walton, the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, the National Endowment for the Arts, Visit Florida, and The Alys Foundation. This opportunity is open to artists and artist teams with a demonstrated history of collaboration completing large and small scale public art projects. Following the application deadline, the CAA will convene a panel of arts and marine environment specialists to review the applications and select proposals for completion and installation. The selected artists will be commissioned to develop design proposals and create a 3D piece of original artwork to be permanently installed in the Underwater Museum of Art. Each artist will receive a $7,500 stipend inclusive of design fees, materials, labor, fabrication, construction, packing materials, shipping, and transportation. Once selections are made, artists will be notified and have approximately six months to complete and safely deliver work to Walton Marine in Orange Beach, AL to be attached to custom pedestals. Select sculptures may be exhibited on land prior to their deployment. Sculptures will be transported by barge to the Gulf and carefully submerged to the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. The UMA is produced in conjunction with SWARA’s existing USACOE and FDEP permitted artificial reef project that includes nine nearshore reefs located within one nautical mile of the shore in approximately 58 feet of water. The first phase of the UMA project included seven pieces of sculpture installed in June 2018 and the fifth installation occurred in July 2023, bringing the total number of UMA sculptures to 40. Artists may learn more about the project, see photos and video of the previous installations, and submit online proposals through October 13, 2023 at UMAFL.org/call-to-artists. Interested artists must be registered with Submittable where the artist call and details are posted. For project sponsorship information, visit UMAFL.org.